There is plenty of debate about who bakes Macau’s best egg tarts, but there is no doubt that Margaret Café é Nata is among the leading contenders.
The origins of Macau’s famous egg tarts has long been the subject of considerable debate. Some claim it’s from Portugal while others say it’s from the United Kingdom. Portuguese egg tarts evolved from “pastéis de nata”, a traditional Portuguese custard pastry that consists of a crème brûlée-like custard caramelized in a crust. Pastéis de nata was created over 200 years ago by monks and has been gradually perfected up to this day.
In Macau, there are no shortage of bakeries claiming to bake the city’s best egg tarts. We’re not going to get involved in that debate, but we can say without question that Margaretʼs Café é Nata is a place you must try at least once.
Located in the Goldlion building in the backstreet of Rua do Comandante Mata e Oliveria, it is strategically placed near the city center and nearby the bright lights of the Macau peninsula casinos.
The crust of Margaret’s egg tarts are buttery and flaky, great for those who don’t mind a little indulgence. They are the kind that have adapted to local sensibilities, with the luscious center providing abundant flavor without sacrificing the egg tart’s structure.
The egg tart itself is pretty dense in the hand, indicative of the heavily packed filling inside. Nevertheless, it is glorious and silky on the tongue, with just the right amount of sweetness. It’s the kind of treat you can consume piece after piece, as the flavor never becomes too heavy.
Margaret’s opens at 08:30 daily, but a little piece of advice – try not to gasp at the throngs of tourists patiently waiting in line. We can assure you that these egg tarts are well worth the wait.
Margaretʼs Café é Nata
Goldlion building, Rua do Comandante Mata e Oliveria
Open 08:30 to 16:40 weekdays (closed Wed)
08:00 to 18:00 weekends
+853 2871 0034
